Diagnosed precancer after reduction surgery

Options
BecMitch
BecMitch Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer
Diagnosed precancer after reduction surgery
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • BecMitch
    BecMitch Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2008

    I recently have had breast reduction surgery and the surgeon sent the tissues to path and came back with mutifocular atypical lobular hyperplasia. I have been trying to find information on this - but have found very little. I know this is a very early find and I am trying to find someone else with this or have been through this and the treatment. I am waiting for results with the estrogen reception test to see if tamoxifen will help. Please help if you have any info on this. I am very thankful and blessed to find it this early. Thanks for the help.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited August 2008

    BecMitch,

    I had breast reduction surgery in Oct. 2006, 4 months after having a "clean" mammo and ultrasound.  My plastic surgeon found my 1.7 cm. tumour -missed on the both imaging tests because of my dense breast tissue.  A breast MRI found another 1.0 cm. tumour in the same breast before I had my mastectomy.  Demand a breast MRI top see if there is anything else going on.

    I was "lucky" too - stage 1 - no nodes, but I had to have chemo and Herceptin.  I have a over a 95% cure rate - all the docs say I was lucky to have the reduction surgery when I did.  It sounds like you will be fine - very very early for you.  But demand that MRI - don't take no for an answer.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • traveler56
    traveler56 Member Posts: 164
    edited August 2008

    Can you tell me if a MRI works like a mammogram?  do they compress you?   just curious.  My doc did not order on e- I am going in for a lumpectomy for DCIS on the 2nd -- very tiny area in one breast.   No other risk factors, as a matter of fact, I am a non risk but here anyway.  I wonder if it is becuase my insurance doesn't pay for them -- they are a little cheap -- 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TheQu33n
    TheQu33n Member Posts: 162
    edited September 2008

     BecMitch, I've not had a reduction yet..... tongue in cheek..... but ironically I spoke with 2 woman last week who had similar experiences as you. I know that's not very helpful, but just wanted you to know you're not alone.. One of these gals had a gorgeous rack too. She told me it was 10 years in the making. I was soooo jealous. 

    Traveler, no they don't compress. You lay on your tummy with your breasts hanging down into their own I don't know what to call them... buckets? Anyway, nothing touches the breast. You have to stay very still, it's loud, you're done. You usually have contrast as well, but that's done via IV. Now that you've got a dx of DCIS I would check if your insurance would cover.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • koshka1
    koshka1 Member Posts: 678
    edited September 2008

    hello ladies...

    a co-worker of mine had the same situation,,,had a breast reduction and they found cancer in the tissue...she went on to further reduce her breast and has been cancer free for 20 years!!! she is a strong lady and gives me hope!!

    as for the breast mri,,,you lay face down in a table with holes in it,,,your boobs drop thru the holes...you then get put into the tunnel and they proceed to scan your breasts...they will also inject you with a dye...it is no major ordeal.....

    hugs...and keep us posted!

    kosh

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited September 2008

    I am also another one whose cancer was found because of breast reduction.

     I decided to have breast reduction done so my PCP sent me in several months early to have a mammogram (she said a plastic surgeon would want to know the breasts were clear).  When the results came back with a "there are microcalcifications, check in six months) my PCP immediately sent me to have a biopsy.  Because I wasn't into tissue saving, my surgeon asked for permission to do what he called a slit biopsy (have guide wires placed in the area of the microcals and he would take out as much tissue as he thought should be looked at).

    That is the way my small, highly aggressive breast tumor was found.  Having that early mammogram made the difference between Stage 1 and a much higher stage that would have been found at the time my mammogram would have been due.

    And I have the ultimate breast reductions - bilateral mastectomies with no reconstruction and I love being flat.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2008

    Mitch----I have LCIS ( a step further along the bc spectrum with double the risk of ALH) and take tamoxifen. A lot of doctors  just recommend that you be vigilant with your mammos and breast exams with ALH / ADH (precancerous conditions), but some recommend tamoxifen as well, depending on your other risk factors, such as family history.  I would recommend you sit down with your doctor and find out your overall risk of bc and about all your risks and benefits of taking a preventative medication like tamoxifen or Evista. (tamox is for both pre and postmenopausal; evista just for post menopausal.)

    Anne

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BecMitch
    BecMitch Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2008

    Thanks for the replies. I did ask the first oncologist about a MRI he consulted with another specialist and they came to the conclusion that an MRI wouldn't be able to tell them much with all the scar tissue. Today I found out that the cells are estrogen receptive, so the tamoxifen will probably be the drug of choice. I have a prescription for it but I am going to get a second opinion from a breast cancer specialist. I am calling the new doctor tomorrow.

    Anne, did you have a lot of side effects from the tamoxifen? I am 47 and haven't gone through menopause yet. I am going to talk with gyno sept 17 because they took me off of the depo-provera that I was taking for severe cramping and heavy bleeding during my period. May have to have a endometrial oblation. I also have heavy endometriosis they found when they did my gall bladder surgery last Jan and found that by chance also.

    I appreciate everyone's input - because there is so little about this early stage on the internet. All of my mammo's have been good - just very large dense breasts. They took off 3 lbs on each side and down to a B cup. I haven't been this small since 6th grade.

    I hope this new doctor will want an MRI. That way we will know for sure. There is no breast cancer in my family on either side. I thought I was at a low risk because of all the factors figured in, but they said I was at a very high risk. I guess we will see what is behind door number 2.

    Thanks again everyone.

    Becca

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories